Combined brush applicator mounting and closure sealing means



C. A. MUREAU Feb. 26, 1952 COMBINED BRUSH APPLICATOR MOUNTING AND CLOSURE SEALING MEANS Filed Aug. 30, 1949 I N V EN TOR. CZ/Aews A/fu 2514!],

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Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE COIVIBINED BRUSH'APPLICATOR MOUNTING AND CLOSURE SEALING MEANS Charles Allen Mureau, Sherman Oaks, Calif. Application August 30, 1949, Serial No. 113,179

This invention relates to an improved container and applicator for small quantities of paints or lacquers and is especially adapted for containing a colored lacquer and for applying the lacquer to a fingernail.

Heretofore, fingernail lacquers and polishes were sold and distributed in containers and a separable device or element was used to brush or apply the lacquer onto the nails. The present invention relates to a combined container and applicator whereby all of the necessary elements are present.

Some prior proposed nail polish containers and applicators comprised a small bottle having a. closure in the form of a cap provided with a brush which extended downwardly into the lacquer and which was immersed therein when.

not in use. The stem or shaft of such brushes was either too short to reach the bottom of the container, or when long enough to reach the bottom, excessive quantities of lacquer adhered to the stem and dripped therefrom when thebrush was in use. The bristles of such .a brush applicator usually become sticky and gummy from immersion in the lacquer and from repeated exposure to the air when the lacquer is being applied to a fingernail; the re-introduction Q of the brush into the container thereby contaminating and deleteriously changing the quality lacquer may be readily seen so that a desired color may be easily selected.

Another object of this invention is to design and provide an improved lacquer container and applicator wherein the brush of the applicator is maintained in an atmosphere of solvent vapors when not in use and excessive amounts of lacquer are not unnecessarily exposed to the air.

A further object of this invention is to provide an'iimproved container and applicator for use with paints or nail lacquers wherein means is provided for ejecting as required small quantities of lacquer from the container and in such a manner that the lacquer flows upon the brush of the applicator.

11 Claims. (Cl. 15136) This invention also contemplates a container and applicator as above described, wherein closure means are provided for sealing the con tainer when not in use. The closure means also includes a'hollow sealed chamber enclosing the applicator brush and a solvent absorbing means for maintaining a solvent atmosphere around the bristles of the brush.

Still another object of the invention is to design and provide an improved container and applicator wherein the applicator brush is cooperatively related with the discharge port of the container and is provided with a cupped brush holder for guiding the ejected lacquer onto the bristles of the brush.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the manner in which the container and applicator embodying this invention may be utilized for ap- .plying nail lacquer onto a fingernail.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1 partly in section, the section being taken in a transverse plane passing through the axis of the device.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line III--III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 2 the view being partly in section.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the combina- .tion container and applicator for nail lacquer comprises a cylindrical, open-ended, hollow container I0, preferably made of a transparent ma- .terial such as glass, to permit the user of the lacquer to select the exact shade of nail lacquer desired. .Nail lacquers normally contain cellulosic derivatives or transparent resins and suitable dyes disposed or dissolved in volatile solvents.

The bottom open end of the container l0 may be provided with a thin, resilient metallic diaphragm ll having a circular, outwardly curved and sprung portion l-zcovering the open end of the container and acting as a snap-acting pump for ejecting lacquer contained within the container .10. The diaphragm H may be provided swedged over as at I! to grasp the outer surfaces of the container l0.

When not in use and to prevent the diaphragm H from being accidentally actuated, a bottom cap i3 is provided for covering the diaphragm H. The bottom cap provides a fiat surfaced base for standing the container in an; upright position.

The other end N of the container is formed with a reduced diameter providing an annular shoulder 25 and may be provided with. external threads 2| engaging internal threadslnOh a container cap 22. When the cap 22 is tightly thread.- ed on the end it, the bottom annular edge of the cap presses a washer 23 of any suitable material against the shoulder 2|] for afiording a tight seal.

The container cap 22 may be provided with an internal frustoconical wall surface 24 leading to a central'axially disposed outlet port 25. Surrounding the port 25 and formed in the outer surface'of the cap 22 may be a circular recess 26 for accommodating a circular sealing ring 21 of any suitable material and the lower endof a ferrule or holder 23 for containing and securing the bristles of an applicator brush '29. Superimposed above the sealing ring 21' may be a metallic locking ring 3!) provided with an axial port in alignment with the port 25 in the container cap and press-fitted in recess 26 for securing the ferrule and the sealing ring. The inner annular portions of ring 21 extend slightly into the outletport 25.

It should be noted that the ferrule-orholder 28 for securing the bristles of brush 29 is formed with a concave side 3| facing the port 25 and adapted to receive flow of nail lacquer therehr uehi Means for sealing the port 25 in the container cap and for, affording a closed chamber for the brush 29am provided by a cover32. The cover 32 afiords a hollow chamber 33 defined by, a

skirt portion 34, the lowerend of which em-' braces the outer circumferential surfaces of the container cap-22 as at 35 and the lower edge of which may be seated against an annular .shoul der 3% formed adjacent the bottom edge of cap 22. The cover 32. may be of generally paraboloid form and is provided with an elongated axially extending sealing-rod 3'! extending through the port Y25 and .aiTorded sealing engagement with the, sealing ringz'l. The end of the sealing rod may be pointed forpermitting easy insertionof the rod into the port 25. The rod may be secured i any -.convenient manner to the closedend ,of

the cover as by means fro a suitabletransversely d sp sed inte a circular o k n plate 38 in abutment with the thickened wall 39 atthe end of the cover, while the outer end of the rod}! k may be provided with an outwardly flared, riveted the purpose of maintaining the brush inasoft.

flexible, pliable condition.

It will be readily apparent from Fig. 1 that when this novel container and applicator .is used for the purpose of applying nail lacquers af e the cover 32 and the bottom cap I8 have been removed, lacquer contained in container l0 may be readily and controllably ejected by snap action of the diaphragm pump by a finger of one hand through port 25 and onto the concave side of the ferrule for guiding the lacquer onto brush 29; After the desired quantity has been ejected from the container, the lacquer may be readily As more lacquer is required,

additionallacquer through the port 25.

Afteruse, placing of the cover 32 over the container cap 22 will seal the container by cooperation of the; axial sealing rodand sealing ring 21 within port 25. The engagement of the skirt portion of the cover with the sides of the container cap will substantially seal chamber 33 so that the bristle of the brush 29 are kept in a solvent atmosphere, by reason of the absorbing. element 4L Replacement of the bottom cap i8 will prevent accidental actuation of the diaphragm pump II.

:In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the combination container and applicator differs from the previous embodiment in the mounting of the diaphragm pump and the engagement of cover sprung, circularportion, as in the previous modification, 'for providing a snap acting pump for ejection-of fluid from the container iii as required.

The bottom cap-53 covers and protects the diaphragm-52 and may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, resilient fingers 54 for grasping outer circumferential surfaces of container 10 adjacent the reduced end portion 50.

In this modification, the chamber63' is efiectively sealed against loss of solvent vapors by meansof an O-ring 55 carried in an annular groove formed in the container cap 22' adjacent its lower edge; It-will -be readily apparent that the skirt-portion 34' sealably engages the O-ring' 55 adjacent its lowercircumferential edge and thus vaffords a complete annular seal for the chamber '33 withinthe hollow cover 32.

The remainingstructure of the combined con} .tainer and applicator illustrated in Fig.4 is sub- :stantiallyvidentical with that shown in Fig. 2.

The upper reduced threaded end of container ID maybe slightly narrower than the end portion shown in Fig. 2 in order to provide a, sufiicient thickness of metal in the threaded portion of container cap :22 in order to permit the provision of an O-ring carrying groove around its circumference.

jThe combinationcontainer and applicator described above provides a transparent container for the.lacquer for facilitating selection of an exact shade oflacquer which will best harmonize with the wearers attire. In addition, th transparent container permits convenient re-purchase of anexact preselected shadelof lacquer without idiificulty.

Thespecific relationship of thebrushwiththe discharge ,port. of .the container is important because it permitsthe lacquer, to, flow from the container, without spilling, upon the bristles of the applicator brush for smooth, re'gulatable, virtual- 1y continuou flow onto a nail being lacquered. Thus, there is always an ample'quantit'y of lac;- quer on the brush'for completing a nail. In prior applicators, when the brush was dipped into the lacquer container, extreme care was necessary in order to insure that just enough lacquer wason the brush for completing a nail. If too little lacquer was carried by the brush, application of the lacquer to the nail would be irregular and blotchy. Also, the insertion of the brush into the small opening in existing containers required careful manipulation of the brush in order to avoid upsetting the bottle.

The brush in the combined container and applicator described is soft, pliable, and always ready for use by reason of its being maintained in an atmosphere of solvent vapors within the enclosed chamber in the cover for the applicator. Obviously, other modifications and changes may be made in the combination containe and applicator and it is contemplated that it may be used for fluids other than nail lacquer, such as paints. All changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. A combined container and applicator for nail lacquer and the like, comprising: a transparent, cylindrical, open-ended and hollow container portion; a thin, resilient, snap-action, metallic diaphragm connected to the bottom end of the container portion; a bottom cap removably carried by the bottom end of the container portion and over said diaphragm; a container cap carried by the top end of the container portion, said container cap being provided with a central port in communication with the interior of the container, and an outwardly extending applicator brush carried by the container cap adjacent the central port, a circular recess on the outer surface of the cap and surrounding the port, an annular resilient sealing ring in the recess, the applicator brush having its end within the recess, a ported lock ring holding said sealing ring and brush in position; and a cover provided with a skirt portion slidable over the container cap to enclose the applicator brush and simultaneously seal the port in the container cap, said cover being provided with an axial sealing rod arranged to extend into the central port of the container cap and into resilient contact with the sealing ring when in position on the container cap, and a porous, solvent absorbing element in the cover to maintain an atmosphere of solvent vapors about said brush.

2. A combined container and applicator for nail lacquer and the like, comprising: a transparent, cylindrical, open-ended and hollow container portion; a thin, resilient, snap-action, metallic diaphragm connected to the bottom end of the container portion; a bottom cap removably carried by the bottom end of the container portion and over said diaphragm; a container cap carried by the top end of the container portion, said container cap being provided with a central port in communication with the interior of the container, an outwardly extending applicator brush carried by the container cap adjacent the central port, a circular recess on the outer surface of the cap and surrounding the port, an annular resilient sealing ring in the recess, the applicator brush having its end within the recess, a ported lock ring holding said sealing ring and brush in postion; and a cover proyided with a skirt portion slidable over the container cap to enclose the applicator brush and simultaneously seal the port in the container cap, said cover being provided with an axial sealing rod arranged to'extend into the central port of the container cap.

8. A combined container and applicator for nail lacquer and the like, comprising: a transparent, cylindrical, open-ended and hollow container portion; a thin, resilient, snap-action, metallic diaphragm connected to the bottom end of the container portion; a container cap carried by the top end of the container portion, said container cap being provided with a central port enclose the applicator brush and simultaneously seal the port in the container cap, said cover being provided with an axial sealing rod arranged to extend into the central port of the container cap.

4. A device of the character described in claim 3, wherein the applicator brush is provided with a curved holder grasped by the lock ring, the holder holding brush bristles in gutter form with concave side facing the port in the cap.

5, A combined container and applicator comprising: a tubular, open-ended, transparent container; a snap action, resilient diaphragm bottom for said container; a cap for said container, said cap being provided with an axial port and .an outwardly directed fixed brush adjacent said port; means, including a sealing ring, carried by said cap and encircling the axial port; and a cover removably attachable over said cap, said cover carrying a sealing rod arranged to extend into the port in cooperative engagement with the sealing ring in said cap when the cover is in position.

6. A device of the character described in claim 5, wherein said brush is provided with a holder held by said port encircling means and having a concave surface facing said port for guiding flow of fluid from said port to said brush.

7. A device of the character described in claim 5, wherein said cover affords an enclosed sealed chamber for said brush, and a solvent absorbing element carried within said chamber for maintaining an atmosphere of solvent vapor around said brush.

8. A device of the character described in claim 5, wherein said cover cooperates with said cap for providing a sealed chamber for said brush, and a porous solvent absorbing pad carried by said cover within said chamber.

9. A combined container and applicatorfor nail lacquer and the like comprising: an open-ended, rigid, hollow container portion; a resilient diaphragm connected to the bottom end of the container portion; a container cap carried by the top end of the container portion, said cap being provided with a port in communication with the interior of the container portion; an applicator brush carried by the cap adjacent to the port; a recess surrounding the port on the outer surface of'the cap; a resilient sealing ring in the recess; the applicator brush having one end within the recess; a lock ring holding said sealing EWEEZQIHB ring and brush. 111313085; 'jon;.-:and=ca :coverrcooperablewith the container cap to -.:enc1ose-the brush and to simultaneouslysealthe; P0111111 the con-- ended, rigid, hollow-container portiony-a resilient diaphragm connected-to the bottom end of the container 1 portion a a container cap carried by the top end of the container portion, said cap .b'eing ;provided-with-.-a port in communication'with the interior of thecontainer portion; an applicator brush carried by the :cap adiacent to the ;port; :a recess surrounding the rport :on the outer surface of the-cap a-seal-ing-ring in the recess; a ported .lock ring holding said sealing ring; --:and acover for the cap to enclose the vbrush and including a sealing rod cooperable with :the sealing ring for sealing the port.

11. -A combined: container: and applicator for nail lacquer-and thelike comprising: an .openended, rigid, hollow container-portion; :a resilient diaphragm connected to the-bottom end of the container ,portion; a container cap carried'by the top .endof the .containerpor-tion, said capv being provided witha port in communication with the interior of the container portion; an appliicator rbrush'narried :by theracap adjacent to the port; :means,..inc1uding a: sealing .ring, -surround :ingtheportand securing-said brush; and a-cover for the cap to enclose the brush; and including a sealing trod :cooperable-with the sealing .ring for sealing the port.

CHARLES ALLEN MUREAU.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name ".Date

19,05,986 Cole .Dec. 8, 1908 1 954,133 Reed "Apr. 5, 1910 1,155,420 Johnson Oct. '5, 1915 1,362,431 Machles lDec. 14, 1920 2,025,286 Hutchinson et al. Dec. 24, 1935 2,190,975 Brown Feb. 20, .1940 2,253,779 Guiterrez Aug. 26, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date "2,467 GreatBritain of 1883 118,931 Switzerland Feb. 16, 1927 440,881 Germany .Feb. 18, 192'? 

